The Twelve Pence Black of Canada has an interesting history which accounts for its iconic status. The original die was engraved by Alfred Jones and the stamps were printed by Rawdon, Wright, Hatch & Edison - the printers of the 1847 first issues of the United State. A total of 51,000 stamps (255 sheets each of 200 subjects), along with a proof imprint sheet, were shipped to Canadian postal authorities on May 14, 1851. However, the stamp proved to be quite unpopular with the public due to its limited usage for specific postal rates to distant destinations. Hence it saw limited distribution, with shipments being sent to only eighteen Post Offices. Only a mere 1,450 stamps were ever sold in over three and a half years of use with 60 being returned by the Ingersoll postmaster. All remaining stamps were destroyed on May 1, 1857.